Richard Mennear

Sunderland boss Simon Grayson says he knew the financial situation facing the club before he agreed to take charge this summer.

Chief executive Martin Bain explained the financial picture facing Sunderland in an interview with the Echo, with Bain explaining the details of the huge drop in income from the Premier League compared to the Championship and the issues Sunderland have around paying for previous transfer fees.

One example given was the £30million raised by the sale of Jordan Pickford has been used, in part, to pay money owed to other clubs for previous transfers, including the near £10million owed to Inter Milan after the club lost their case regarding the loan of Ricky Alvarez in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Grayson, speaking to the television cameras at the Academy of Light, explained that the details revealed came as no surprise to him and says he is comfortable working in the financial parameters facing Sunderland.

"I came here because I wanted to and Sunderland chose me as the right man. I knew the parameters we were working in.

"It is no surprise to me. We have had to change the squad around. It comes with the territory of a relegation from the Premier League.

"Martin has put it out there, what has happened in the past. What we have to do now is focus on the future and make sure everybody is heading in the right direction.

"Results will help us do that.

"What happens off the pitch doesn't really bother me, I will work within the parameters given to me.

"I think I have a group of players that can still have a successful season and it is about turning the performances of nearly good results into good results.

"I like to think I am a good coach and manager and that is why I am here to make the team better. Over the next few weeks and months we will do that."

Grayson has also confirmed that on-loan Everton duo Tyias Browning and Brendan Galloway have not been granted permission to play against their parent club at Goodison Park tomorrow night in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Grayson added: "No. They have not been granted permission to play."

Sunderland head to Merseyside aiming to cause a cup shock and seal their place in the fourth round of the competition.

Grayson was giving little away ahead of the game in terms of team selection but admits there is likely to be changes.

He said: "We want to win another football match. I haven't worked out the changes numbers wise but there will be a couple of changes from Saturday.

"If anybody is any doubt they won't play because of the importance of Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday next week.

"It will be a team to try and win the game, a tough game against an Everton team desperate to win the game.

"Whatever we put out we want to win the match. That has been the philosophy in this competition from the start."

Lewis Grabban will miss out with a hamstring injury while the game is set to come too soon for forwards Duncan Watmore and Josh Maja, though both players are closing in on a return from injury.

James Vaughan, who scored his first goal for Sunderland in the draw with Hull City, is the only fit senior striker but could be rested ahead of the big game against Cardiff City in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

When asked whether he was concerned about a lack of options up front, Grayson said: "It has been something we have spoken about all along, the strength in depth is something we would like to improve on but that will be improved on in the next few weeks when Duncan Watmore is back with us.

"Aiden McGeady is very close to being back with us and one or two other options too.

"You just have to get on with it and do the best you can. Maja is coming back to training, before you know it we will have a lot more strength in depth.